Parenting

For some people Words come Cheap! Sadly, some people can “Blah, Blah, Blah” words all day long and never mean a single thing they say. Their words either fill space or are merely a means to an end.

Empty word after empty word, their conversation, statements, and promises come to mean ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. No matter how beautiful, sweet, or hopeful the words sound, if the person behind them doesn’t have the intention to follow through or can’t be trusted, then the words are worthless.

I know there will be miscommunications, or facts mistaken (from time to time) after all, we are human. On occasion, perhaps something will prevent us from being able to carry out the actions to make our words true. However, these instances should be seldom; an anomaly – not constant.

Don’t make promises you don’t mean to keep. Don’t say you will do something with NO intention of standing behind your words.

A person who is known to be true to their words doesn’t even have to use “I promise” – the recipient can know, because of the person’s character, that the words/agreements will be kept.

It is up to you (each person) to decide whether to be a person of your word. Overall, your own actions will determine whether your words are worthless or valuable.

You are never— Hear This please – You are NEVER so far that the Love of God can’t reach you. He loves you EVEN when you are at your Darkest, Lowest point. He knows your deepest darkest secrets, and your every thought. And still God loves you!!! He loves you so much that he made a way to have a relationship with him.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18 KJV

There is hope – If you are hearing, reading this, or thinking on this – There is hope! God doesn’t mind what kind or brand of clothes you have on. God doesn’t mind whether you are poor or if you are rich. God doesn’t mind if you are famous, popular, a loner, or independent. God doesn’t mind if you are royalty or homeless. God doesn’t mind if you have no tattoos or if you have millions of them …. God doesn’t mind if you have no piercings or multiple piercings. God doesn’t mind if you drive a BMW or if you take the bus or if you have no transportation. God doesn’t mind if you are the CEO of a company or if you have no no current occupation. Regardless of externals, We are ALL Equals at the foot of the cross. God cares deeply about you! The external things do not help or prevent you from knowing the love of God. God sees your heart. He loved you before you were even born – He loves you now – He wants to have a relationship with you. He wants to adopt you into his family – he wants you to become the sons and daughters of the King of Kings.

“For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3: 3-7 NKJV

There WILL inevitably be arduous days and/or seasons in your life There will be things that you have to deal with that you would rather not. Salvation, and being a Christ follower does not eliminate pain, hurt, tragedy, sadness, grief or trials from your life but it means that you can have assurance that you don’t ever face it alone. God promises to never leave or forsake those who have a saving relationship with him.

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NKJV “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5-6 KJV

Knowing God personally (not just knowing of him) and knowing his unchanging character allows you to rest in these promises and have faith and peace even in difficulties.

I want my kids to know that God knows each of them – the good and the bad and he loves them. I want them to know that no matter the depth of pain or difficult path they can reach for God and find hope that this world can not offer.

You are Loved More Than You Could Ever Know….

This is the beginning post in my bi-monthly series of posts …”Things I Want My Kids to Know”- sharing insights, life lessons, and thoughts that I hope to pass along.

As my first blog post in this series it is very appropriate to let you know that I have loved you before you were born and I will love you always.

From your first heartbeats, to your first cries, to your first steps, to your funny expressions, your first words, your giggles, your adorable smiles, the sparkles in your eyes, your enthusiasm … Oh okay I’m Mom so I could go on FOREVER – I just love EVERYTHING about you 🙂 You are each so very unique – God only made one Lakota~ and only one Nokona~.

Lakota, you were my first, and with you, everything was new. I had no idea what to expect, what to do as a mom,. Oh, its exciting, fun, frightful, and adventuresome to be a mom for the first time. You were my beautiful “Little Britches” from the beginning… always the morning baby, bubbly & always smiling, sweet right to the core. Nokona, my second born, I was excited to find out that we were going to have a little boy. My handsome, “Little Bear”, so kind & loving, your hugs that would melt anyone, always the curious one, you take everything in (more than most people realize). I even love your night owl tendencies. Your sissy was a big help when you were born but having two precious little ones to care for was new territory and still quite the adventure. You have both grown into wonderful children. I have been very blessed to be your mother.

I don’t know if it is even possible to describe a love a parent has for a child. Moreover, it is even less possible for a youth/child to comprehend its depth.

I want you to know that I don’t expect you to be perfect. I know that you will make decisions that will thrill me and some choices that I may disapprove, as you get older; however, my love is not contingent on your actions. I will ALWAYS love you. There is nothing that you could ever do that I would cause me to stop loving you.

That being said, I am not perfect. I apologize upfront for my misgivings/failings but I will do the best I can to be the best mom I know how to be. Love does not mean that you get everything you want – Quite the contrary. BECAUSE I love you, I WILL tell you “No” sometimes. I will give you rules and expect you to follow them.

I will always be your loudest cheerleader. I will always encourage excelling and helping each of you in any way possible toward your goals. Foremost, I will be your parent. I will put every effort into equipping and shaping you toward being the best Lakota and Nokona you can be as you grow into adulthood. I am always here if you need to vent, to talk, to reason. However, I won’t always have the answers to every problem life throws our way, but God does and we can trust him!